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Archdiocese of Cebu partners with FPE, Catholic groups for trees program

Posted on February 20, 2018

The Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concern (CACEC) expanded its tree growing program by signing partnership agreements with new partners in a ceremony held last February 13 at the Archbishop’s Palace.

The Archdiocese, represented by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), the biggest grant giving non-government organization for environmental projects in the Philippines. FPE was represented by Ramie Debuayan, manager of its Visayas Regional Unit, and Edel Garingan, resource mobilization officer. 

CACEC and FPE agreed to collaborate in the implementation of the Cebu Archdiocesan Tree Growing Initiative, which aims to plant at least 500,000 trees by 2021 to promote biodiversity conservation and improve terrestrial habitats.  The engagement would also include the establishment of local environmental protection mechanisms through the creation of a Committee on Environmental Concern (CEC) per parish. Aside from giving grants, FPE also committed to provide technical assistance to CACEC on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The partnership ceremony also served as commitment signing for nine (9) Catholic groups, who collectively agreed to plant at least 110,000 trees.  These were the University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of San Carlos, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus, Academia de San Pedo Calungsod, Association of Women Religious of Cebu, Religious of the Virgin Mary, Seaknights Inc., and the Apostleship of the Sea.

CACEC Chair Fr. Murphy Sarsonas also introduced the core members of the CACEC Youth during the event.  The newly formed organization would serve as platform for Catholic young people to participate in the environmental programs of the Church.  As an immediate project, the CACEC Youth would be taking the lead in organizing a youth convergence for the environment in November as CACEC’s kickoff program for the Year of the Youth next liturgical year.

CACEC’s new partners as well as the active participation of the youth were positive results of the first Cebu Roman Catholic Convergence for the Environment held last December 2017, which rallied various Catholic schools, congregations, and religious organizations to contribute towards the Archdiocese’s tree growing target.  CACEC hopes to strengthen its efforts to increase the participation of component parishes in its environmental programs this year, through the support of partners like FPE and Oceana Philippines.

For more information about CACEC, you may contact them through email at cebuarchdiocese.environment@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/IECCEConline.

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